#aggievoices

[aggievoices]

How to Go with the Flow at UC Davis

Emma Hoppough

Attention all incoming freshmen and indecisive undergrads: I’ve got a few campus cheat sheets for you.

Do you know where to nap in any given moment? Do you know where to grab food after a final, or where to read all of the assigned PDFs you downloaded? If you find yourself struggling to answer these questions or wandering aimlessly between classes, fret no more! Simply consult the following flow charts to make smart choices at UC Davis (while saving some brain power for life’s larger decisions).

Click here to explore the official UC Davis Nap Map

Click here to explore different dining options and computer rooms on campus

Emma Hoppough is a recent UC Davis alumna. When she’s not writing or painting, she’s probably planning a picnic or rewatching episodes of The Office.

[aggievoices]

The Ultimate Day in Davis

It’s spring quarter at UC Davis: flowers are blooming, students are tanning and high school seniors are touring campus in increasingly large packs. In honor of all the future Aggies out there, I’ve made this 12-hour guide to take you through some of the best—and most Davis-y—activities the city has to offer. Enjoy!

MORNING

9:00 AM: Start your day the Davis way: on a bike! Your journey begins in North Davis, where you are nestled inside a hub of college apartments. No need to worry about distance; nothing in town is more than a 20-minute ride away.

9:10 AM: Ready to feel small? Ride over to “The Dominoes” (also known by their official title, Domino Effect II). These larger-than-life sculptures stand inside one of city’s many public parks, and they’re always good for a quick photo op.

9:45 AM: Head downtown to wake up with some local flavor. Coffee shop favorites include Cloud Forest Cafe (if you like your lattes with a side of panini), Temple Coffee Roasters (if you like a modern aesthetic and lots of laptops) and Mishka’s (if you like conversations and bustling, jazzy vibes).

10:30 AM: See some art while you’re here! Plenty of sculptures and murals populate downtown Davis, and many hide in plain sight. You’re sure to spot some as you wander, but for more directed viewing you can move through the self-guided Davis Art Walk.

11:30 AM: Check out one of Davis’ quirkier landmarks: Toad Hollow. This small tunnel was constructed in 1995 to guide wandering toads away from from the highway. Since then, it has inspired children’s books like The Toads of Davis and was visited by a young Stephen Colbert as part of a Daily Show segment. And if potential toad sightings aren’t enough, you can always go dogspotting at Toad Hollow Dog Park.

12:00 PM: Grab a piece of cardboard and make your way to Slide Hill Park to visit—you guessed it—Slide Hill. The attraction is less of a “slide” than it is a steep, smooth mountain of concrete, but zooming down on a makeshift seat really gets the adrenaline pumping. This activity is not for the faint of heart.

AFTERNOON

12:30 PM: You deserve a treat after all that biking—have some boba as a refresher. You can find milk tea in nearly every corner of Davis. Some local favorites include MandRo Teahouse and Teabo, but today you might as well return downtown to stop at other top picks like T4 or Lazi Cow (just to name a few).

1:00 PM: What’s a trip to Davis without a walk through the Arboretum? Head toward campus to journey through up to 100 acres of bright flowers, redwood trees and desert landscapes—all interwoven with the university. If it’s mid-spring, you might also spot a large group of ducklings on the water!

2:00 PM: If those natural colors and textures left you wanting more, you can bike to the south part of campus to visit the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. The museum may be new to Davis, but it has already had a big impact on the town. Even if art isn’t your “thing,” you’ll want to see this museum just to admire its architecture—and to hit the giant gong that sits outside.

3:00 PM: You’ll probably smell the cows before you see the cows, but when you get the chance you should probably pet the cows, too. Our bovine friends live across from the Tercero Residence Halls, and they love visitors.

3:30 PM: Head five minutes northwest to spot the Baggins End Domes, a cooperative campus community that dates back to the seventies. You’ll see chickens, gardens, and sculptures around this property (but you won’t find many corners).

4:00 PM: Take a break on one of the famous blue hammocks bordering the UC Davis quad. You might have to fight another sleepy student to grab a spot, but it’s worth it in the end.

EVENING

5:00 PM: Time to visit the Wednesday Farmers Market to try some samples, listen to live music and people-watch to your heart’s content. (This is also your opportunity to purchase the iconic Farmers Market hat that seemingly everyone in town owns.)

6:00 PM: Still hungry? Move across the street to Burgers & Brew for gourmet burgers and curly fries or go to Redrum Burger for exotic twists like the ostrich burger. If you’d rather go vegetarian, Thai Canteen is just one many downtown restaurants that’s got you covered.

7:00 PM: You might want to digest all that food. Walk to Varsity Theater to see a new independent movie inside the Art Deco-inspired building.

9:00 PM: You don’t have to leave Varsity to get a post-movie treat—peek directly into Icekrimski Cafe for pistachio gelato or blackberry cabarnet sorbetto. If you want to go elsewhere for frozen treats, you can explore The Good Scoop and Davis Creamery for other rotating ice cream flavors

9:30 PM: Take yourself and your ice cream to the top of the Pavilion parking structure or the Social Sciences Building (affectionately nicknamed the “Death Star”) to look out across campus and stargaze after the sun sets. What a day it’s been.

[aggievoices]

What Are Aggies Up to? Elaine How Is Learning to Save Lives

Emma Hoppough

Elaine How didn’t grow up knowing that she wanted to become a physician’s assistant, but she had a few good hints along the way. “Whenever I had tooth extractions I would hold a mirror and watch the dentist pull out my teeth,” she laughs. “I would just want to see what they were doing; I thought it was really cool.” Now entering her final year as a nutrition science major at UC Davis, Elaine has a clearer sense of her aspirations, and she has already logged countless hours to make them a reality. Although the path to a medical career can seem long and exhausting, Elaine insists that sleepless nights are rewarding when she’s working to improve patients’ lives.

Why Nutrition Matters (For Everyone)

While Elaine was clearly never squeamish about medical procedures, she remembers focusing her attention on nutrition during the weeks before her junior prom. Like many high schoolers, she awaited the night with mixed emotions, worrying about how she would look for the much-hyped  event. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, I want to look cute….’ That’s when I discovered that there’s a lot that goes into nutrition.”

From her early research, Elaine noticed that health and appearance were not as connected as the media suggested.  “The way people view health and beauty is very distorted,” she says.  “Everybody thinks that to be beautiful you have to be skinny, and that to be skinny means you’re healthy—but that’s not it. That’s one reason I got into nutrition in the first place, because I really wanted to change that.” So when she transferred to UC Davis in 2016 (originally as a clinical nutrition major) she set out to learn more about the human body in order to spread honest information about health.

“After I came to Davis, I realized that nutrition is a lot more than carbs and fats; there’s so much science involved,” she says. “You never really realize what happens inside of yourself, but our bodies are so smart in how they maintain the temperature, regulations, pH levels, everything.  As she discovered more about the medical field, she decided that she wanted to help patients with more than their diets—she wanted to become a physician’s assistant (PA). With this job title, she could help patients with everything from discussing nutrition to diagnosing illnesses.

Starting the Path to PA School

With newly realized career goals to motivate her, Elaine jumped into the organized chaos of the medical world. “When you apply for PA school they want you to have a lot of patient care hours,” she explains. So, on top of her classwork and job, Elaine dedicated twelve hours a week to an intensive four-month Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course that taught her how to save lives. While she stresses that EMTs can “only” help with “simpler stuff” like taking vitals or administering epinephrine and albuterol (paramedics do the rest), she casually adds that her job is to keep patients alive after they encounter any number of medical emergencies.

While some would find the high-stakes work stressful, Elaine never has: “It was really fun!” she insists. In fact, rather than shying away from the chaotic ER during clinical rotations, she found it to be one of the job’s most rewarding aspects. “I love the hecticness,” she says. “TV portrays the ER as always hectic and super loud but in reality...it’s super organized and everybody has their own role. You still feel calm. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do; it’s not like Grey’s Anatomy where they’re shouting over each other.”

When she was able to shadow an open-heart surgery, Elaine knew that she was headed toward the right career. “It was so amazing, like ‘oh my god, there’s a heart right by me, and an open chest cavity, and I’m here, and I can see the surgeon saving [the patient’s] life,’” she gushes. “I thought, ‘one day I could do this—this could be me.’”

Stress, Sleep and Support Systems

Working a dream job isn’t always easy, however. For Elaine’s last year in Davis, the 21-year-old anticipates completing her degree, volunteering at Sutter Health, working as an EMT and continuing her barista job to pay for the any free time that she can carve out for herself.  Reflecting on her most recent quarter at Davis, Elaine says, “I honestly don’t know how I did it.” She remembers spending each Sunday—traditionally a “day of rest”—waking up early for EMT labs that ran from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., then rushing to her job to work until 10:30 at night. “Basically I didn’t have a Sunday,” she summarizes. “I guess that’s why I had a really weird sleeping schedule...I’d go to bed at 3:00 a.m. every day.”

Now with fall quarter approaching (along with its overloaded days), Elaine shares with her peers lessons that she has learned the hard way: “You need a good support system, as cheesy as that sounds,” she advises. “Remember to sleep. Remember to have fun. Give yourself one day out of the week where you don’t have any other obligations...when you don’t have to worry about running around or trying to fit everything in your schedule.”

In the meantime, however, she is searching for clinical research opportunities—another task to add to her schedule. But even with so much to juggle, Elaine remains excited and optimistic for what her future—and the future of medicine—holds. “With clinical research, you get to see firsthand how something can affect someone,” she says. “That’s the amazing thing about medicine: it’s constantly changing, and we’re constantly working at how to improve someone’s life. I think that’s really incredible.”

Emma Hoppough is a recent UC Davis alumna. When she’s not writing or painting, she’s probably planning a picnic or rewatching episodes of The Office.

[aggievoices]

Research Starts Here

Learning Across Disciplines with the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference

Emma Hoppough

During the last weekend of April, more than 700 UC Davis students eagerly journeyed back to campus to present at the 29th Annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference. For those students, the event represented up to a year of hard work: everyone who presented had spent the last few months working closely with UC Davis faculty to propose projects, conduct research, draft abstracts and prepare their findings for the rest of campus.

Longtime attendees might might have noticed a more diverse crowd in recent years, as well. In 2012, UC Davis established the first arts and design exhibit to join the conference’s poster and oral sessions, increasing the intellectual engagement that the conference hopes to foster. As the conference audience and scope continues to grow, it has become a destination for undergraduates looking to take full advantage of their time at a research university.

To learn more about the conference experience, I spoke to two groups of students researchers whose work illustrates the university's celebration of scholarship, passion and creativity.

Photo courtesy of: Nicole Sullivan

PRIYANKA SANGHAVI: “Development of Optimism Across the Lifespan”

The Research

Priyanka, now a third year at Davis, began her research project more than a year ago. While the project has grown considerably, Priyanka claims that the research began with a simple idea: an “infant-level interest” in the broader topic of optimism. “A lot of psychology research is really focused on things like anxiety, depression, substance abuse...I wanted to focus on something more positive,” she explains.

To satisfy this intellectual craving, Priyanka paired up with Dr. Richard Robins, who was already involved in a long-term data collection effort.  “A ton of different surveys were administered to these families...There was already a lot we could do with it,” Priyanka says. And fortunately, some of the data already aligned with her interests: “One survey is a questionnaire about optimism. It has [statements] like ‘if anything can go wrong for me, it will.’ You rank how much you agree.” This was just the data Priyanka needed for her research—and with her professor's help, her project “Development of Optimism Across the Lifespan,” was born.

So what did Priyanka and her faculty advisor discover after analyzing this mountain of data? After her experience presenting at the conference, Priyanka summarizes the results succinctly: “We found that optimism increases until about age 53, then afterwards it starts to decline. Positive life events seem to have more of an effect on the development of optimism than negative events do.” In other words, positive events appeared to benefit research participants’ optimism more than negative events harmed them. Although Priyanka cautions—like any researcher should—that her team can’t make causal claims from their data, the results provide fascinating implications nonetheless. “Optimism has been pretty clearly shown to have a lot of health benefits,” Priyanka explains. Therefore, “If optimism research can in any way inform the way we help people, especially elderly people, cope with some of the health problems that they have because of aging, then we’re contributing to that in some way, shape, or form.”

The Conference

While Priyanka could have continued to work behind-the-scenes as a student researcher, she chose instead to present at the Undergraduate Research Conference and explore topics with like-minded people while contributing some empathy to the science field. “The conference here is just such a great event,” she says. “It really celebrates intellectual activity.” Additionally, as a third-year pursuing a career in the sciences, “it’s a really natural next step when you are an undergraduate researcher at UC Davis.”

While some researchers might find it difficult to discuss specialized topics with the diverse conference crowd, Priyanka enjoyed the challenge.  Although her findings came from statistical methods beyond the scope of what most undergraduates know, she was responsible for describing that process to others nonetheless. Armed with a poster to illustrate her project, she developed multiple ways to describe her research depending on her audience. Her advice? “You need to get inside the mind of someone who is smart and curious but who does not know about very much about your subject.” For this reason, “empathy is super important in science communication”—and a scientific focus on empathy is definitely something to be optimistic about.

ELLE LUO AND YI LUO: “Virtual Reality And Scent For Treating Stress”

The Research

“Design has a lot of possibilities,” states Elle Luo. Her Undergraduate Research Conference project, “Virtual Reality And Scent For Treating Stress,” suggests design’s many applications through its title alone.  The fourth year design major had not realized how far she could stretch her design skills until coming to UC Davis, however. “Before entering UC Davis I never had coding experience,” she explains. “I took my first coding class here and thought ‘oh my god, this is fascinating!’” Pursuing her growing interest in coding, Elle soon set her sights on creating a virtual reality (VR) experience to combine her interests and demonstrate design’s interdisciplinary potential. When she discovered the Undergraduate Research Conference, she found the incentive she needed to make her ideas a reality.  “This chance to present at this conference motivated me. I wanted to work hard for other audiences.”

To begin her project, Elle teamed up with Professor Katia Canepa Vega (her faculty advisor) and Yi Luo (a fellow design major and third-year student at UC Davis). In the beginning, Elle and Yi only knew that they wanted to make a VR space for users to experience—but when their professor suggested that they combine another sensation into that experience, their ideas bloomed. “Yi thought, ‘what if we make it a flower garden?’” Elle remembers. When they researched flowers and discovered that lavender has de-stressing properties, they knew that this would be the center of their project. After lots of planning, coding, designing and testing, it was ready to present.

To experience Elle and Yi’s VR scenario, users download an application on their phone that allows them to see the 360-degree scene that the researchers created: a geometric, abstract flower garden filled with purples and greens. As users move their phones, the view on the screen moves to correspond with the phone’s position. The experience becomes fully immersive, however, with the calming lavender scent that immediately fills the air when the program starts, thanks to code that activates a scent diffuser. While Elle and Yi’s project does not produce ”findings” in the same way that a scientific study would, the student researchers are happy to have created an entirely new experience for different audiences to interact with.

The Conference

With the relatively new conference space dedicated to art and design, Elle and Yi were able to present the full virtual experience that they had created. While Yi still designed a poster to accompany and explain their work, the creative space allowed them to move beyond two-dimensional explanations and allow people to interact with their design firsthand. “From my perspective, if it’s only a poster, I can’t showcase my actual project experience to my users,” says Elle.

Furthermore, the exhibit allows audiences to understand the scope of both art and design in general. “I think people confuse fine art and design, but there’s a big difference.” Elle states. “Design is more focused on the functionality and experience of the user—it’s more objective.” And Yi agrees, saying that the conference’s representation of creative arts and sciences allows audiences to engage in a shared experience; in fact, Yi hopes that the conference will dedicate even more space to the arts in the coming years.

Although both designers felt justifiably exhausted after three hours of presenting (“It was my first time talking to so many people,” laughs Yi) they smile as they discuss the experience. “I got to see a lot of people who were interested in our project and wanted to learn more about the technology we used—I think it’s really cool,” explains Elle. “When they experience my VR scenario and go ‘oh, wow!’ I feel very satisfied.” And the conference was just the beginning: on May 20, the project (and Elle) travelled to the 2018 Maker Faire in San Mateo to share the experience with thousands of new users. For any other students interested in following a similar path, Yi offers advice that is short and sweet: “just do it.”

Emma Hoppough is a fourth-year English major at UC Davis. When she’s not writing or painting, she’s probably planning a picnic or rewatching episodes of The Office. 

[aggievoices]

Lessons Abroad: What to Consider Before Leaving the Country

Emma Hoppough

Despite my insistence that I still live near fresh baguettes and waves so salty they could cause hypertension, I type this after returning from my month-long stay in France. As a student in the UC Davis program “Art Studio in Paris and the French Riviera,” I traveled with twenty creative strangers to visit museums, paint and sketch throughout the land of buttered pastries. The trip moved quickly, but it taught me many lessons about traveling itself. So what did I learn about studying abroad? Look below to find out.

1) Money, Money, Money

To quote everyone’s favorite ‘70’s Swedish pop sensation ABBA: “Aha, all the things I could do/if I had a little money./ It’s a rich man’s world.”

Before you seriously consider traveling abroad, you should also assess the cost of the experience you’re envisioning. Financial aid exists—in fact, I was pleasantly surprised when I received a generous scholarship for my program—but flights alone often cost big bucks. If you imagine weeks of fine dining and adventurous day trips in a country with higher-valued currency, remember whose wallet pays for those activities.

What did I learn? While it’s absolutely possible to find inexpensive food and fun (and actually, the entirely free view from Sacre Coeur Cathedral was my favorite in Paris), you might need to prepare for a pricey—yet priceless—adventure.

2) Back to Basics (Pack the Basics)

As a girl who once stuffed 49 pounds of clothes into a suitcase for winter break, I urge thee: pack lightly. Picture yourself navigating narrow trains, crowded subways, and labyrinthian airports in new environments—now add 80 percent humidity and 30-plus pounds of luggage digging into your shoulders. Even though I crammed my life into just one large backpack and tote for this trip, every item lost significance with each second that I dragged it behind me.

What did I learn? Stores exist everywhere; it’s unlikely that you’ll miss the lotion and tank top you “kind of want to bring”—and you’ll be too distracted to notice their absence. Instead, carry no more than seven days of clothes, forget large electronics unless your assignments require them, and think of travel-sized toiletries as replaceable blessings. Happy packing!

3) Research is Good, but Surprises are Better

Question: what do the following activities have in common? 1. Sitting below the Eiffel Tower for Bastille Day fireworks; 2. riding a giant banana-shaped inner tube along the French Riviera; 3. gasping for air in the hottest steam room known to man. Answer: I, a notorious planner, had not foreseen any of these moments—and they highlighted my trip.

I’m thankful that I researched basic cultural cues and logistical information, but I found that entirely structured days became exercises in time management rather than fun. I don’t regret my panicked week of preparation before leaving home, but I’m seeing the value in resting my uptight brain.

What did I learn? If you can find a happy medium between clueless wandering and forced itineraries, settle in that spot! You will thank yourself later.

4) Bad Moods Don’t Take Vacations

I know, it sounds cynical to take a potentially inspiring post and write, “happiness is fleeting!!” before vanishing back into my computer cave. However, while traveling brings weeks of excitement and awe, you will only let yourself down if you feel obligated to maintain a brochure-worthy smile throughout every moment. Like any human, you will probably feel tired, hungry, agitated, or even lonely—and that’s just part of the journey.

What did I learn? Don’t feel guilty if you have a bad day, but smile when you can. Laughter pushed my group through lost luggage, dozens of mosquito bites, hours-long train delays, and a futile journey for cheesecake. So although it’s unfair to expect pure delight from your program, you do have the power to make the most of every situations, and plenty of people to help.

5) Goodbye, Wifi (Bonjour, the Present Moment!)

Remember the technological days of yore when internet access didn’t control our phones and lives? If you study abroad, you might see the freedom (and occasional panic) of owning a cell phone that only makes calls.

Even if you hit the Free Wifi Jackpot in your country of choice, new time zones and non-American websites will make communication and web surfing that much harder. Why not take advantage of momentary disconnection? When I had time to scroll through friends’ updates and photos, I would just waste energy feeling as if I were missing out on other experiences, briefly forgetting the wonder of my own.

What did I learn? Your phone will help you to check in with loved ones and to navigate new cities, but try to connect with your classmates and surroundings before you connect to wifi.

6) Yes You’re Abroad, but You Still Need to Study

Ah, yes, the romanticized vision of life in a foreign country with beautiful people and zero responsibilities….

With new distractions, you might forget that education sits at the heart of every study abroad program. Some programs create more structured environments than others: while my days were somewhat freeform given that they focused on studio art, other programs require substantial reading, writing, and exams—yes, even if you can see the Panthèon from your window as you work.

What did I learn? If you go abroad with your GPA in mind, then remember that non-educational excitement must sometimes sit on the back burner. Enter your trip knowing what classwork to expect so that you can prepare for both work and play.

Emma Hoppough is a fourth-year English major at UC Davis. When not studying literature, she attends classes in studio art and professional writing.

[aggievoices]

What are Aggies Up To?   Sinead Santich on Documentaries and Davis

Emma Hoppough

Sinead Santich holds eclectic interests, and she combines them all with her love of film. Majoring in cinema and digital media and minoring in landscape restoration at UC Davis, Sinead pans her camera across topics like ecology, equality and sometimes quirky, but always compelling human pursuits.

As a third year at the university, the Chico native has immersed herself in countless film-related activities, from the 2016 Davis Feminist Film Festival to UC Davis’ Strategic Communications, where she currently works as a multimedia specialist. Now Sinead has set her sights on projects that extend far beyond campus: working on a new documentary, she will travel from Los Angeles to Atlanta to film a group called Sustainable Cycles as they move on a workshop-filled, fossil-fuel-free bike tour. 

A filmmaker does not work alone, however--Sinead is quick to acknowledge the family and faculty members that encouraged her to pursue her passions and recognize her potential. And by focusing on social change in her own films, Sinead hopes to do the same for audiences all over.

photo by Sean Johnson

When did you decide you wanted to study film?

[Before college] I was kind of at a loss for what I wanted to do. I was interested in biology but I wasn’t really feeling inspired by anything. I mentioned to my mom that I liked film but had never told anyone, and she said, “Oh, they have a film studies department at UC Davis!” But I really didn’t know much about it; I wasn’t someone who watched movies all the time, who was really well spoken. Then I started thinking more about how I liked documentaries.

I remember there was a moment when I saw this band--I was at a music festival my senior year--and it looked like an old jazz band. It reminded me of a 1920s film, something related to Charlie Chaplin, and I remember thinking it was so interesting that they were conjuring that atmosphere and nostalgia. I thought,  “It would be cool to do the same thing with movies.” It was such a weird train of thought, but I remember thinking that, and then I told my mom and she was like, “Let’s get you to college!”

 What are film classes like at UC Davis?

There are a lot of introductory classes; that’s where I learned most of my skills. I actually got one of my worst grades in my first film class (Film Studies 1). But I loved the films that we watched, and I learned a lot. I didn’t realize that there is so much to film--that class opened my eyes to how complicated it could be, and how film is reflective of a lot of different things in terms of history, culture or art movements.

I remember Technocultural Studies I absolutely loved--it was the study of culture and technology, and every day my mind was blown by how integrated we are with media, how it’s changing everything we do. Even terms we say--like, “I felt like I was in a movie”--even the way we think is mediated through what we see. I realized that, whether we know it or not, we’re affected by the media we consume; we become certain people and think certain things. I was very intrigued by all that.

What is the most rewarding aspect of filmmaking, and what have you found to be the most challenging?

It’s two things: being able to talk to people and hear their story, and allowing people to share their story in such a simple way. All you have to do is send a link, and then people have access to this other perspective. I think that’s my goal: spreading good, positive ideas--or things that need to be said--in a way that’s truthful. I think the hardest part is finding the right angle to a story-- thinking about things in a way that’s intriguing, knowing how to present ideas in a way where people want to engage with the material.

What was your first solo project?

I challenged myself and took a documentary class with only a quarter of skills and experience--and that was honestly so difficult! Because I had hardly done any editing [before], so that one really pushed me. But once I got the skills, I really wanted to start filming.

I was in the Arboretum one time, thinking about my documentary project, and I saw a man ride by with this huge penny farthing bike. I thought, “I’m gonna go talk to him.” His name was Martin Krieg, and he was a great resource because he had a phenomenal story. So I made this short documentary (“Life Cycles”) about different perspectives of biking and what it means to people as commuters, athletes--or someone like Martin. Specifically, he got into a car accident and was paraplegic; he had to relearn how to speak and eat, but he said when he was biking he felt like he had a clean slate. Biking was a way for him to be able to function again.

Making this documentary allowed me to get a job at UC Davis; it allowed me to have a portfolio.

  And what are you working on currently?

I’m filming a documentary called Break the Cycle. In the fall quarter I was in a documentary proposal class, and I decided to make my proposal about an organization called Sustainable Cycles. I had Skyped with them and thought “Wow! I could make a documentary about them.” Honestly, I was talking to my brother about it, and he asked why I don’t just contact them. It was such a whim--that was a year and a half ago. There wasn’t actually a specific grant for my proposal for my class, but it allowed me to do research and be well-versed in the process.

I had found out about [the organization] at a sustainability conference: it’s a group of women who bike across the country and host workshops to talk about reusable menstrual products. This concept touches on a lot of different things, like accessibility, and the fact that many women can’t afford a disposable product each month. [Non-disposable products] also cause a lot of waste because every month you have to throw away that cotton and paper. Sustainable Cycles gives away free products at their workshops, and they’re trying not to use fossil fuels while they go on tour--and they’ve been successful; they’ve gone on three different tours, and they’re on another right now.

So I’m going to film them during their tour, and when they speak at the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I want to film them as they’re riding their bikes, so I’m going to be riding alongside them in a car. I want to get them when they’re on the road, and talk to people at the workshops to get their perspective, and just get immersed in their world.

In my spring break I took the train to Los Angeles to start interviews, and they’ve been biking since then. I’m going to meet with them again in Birmingham, which is June 16, two days after my last final. It’s insane to me--I leave immediately, and then I’ll just be filming for a week and a half. The first time I travelled by myself was in spring [to meet with Sustainable Cycles], and now I’m flying in this big airport. It’s a big step for me.

I plan to use this project as my senior thesis, so in the fall I’ll begin editing footage [to make a 20 minute video], and maybe show it at the research conference next spring. I want it to be accessible to a lot of different audiences. I want to try my hardest to give it a holistic view where it’s addressing a lot of different subjects so it doesn’t dismiss other issues.

 Do you know what sort of work you would like to do after you graduate?

There’s so much content out there. I think I want to do things related to science, because I’m interested in biology and environmental conservation. I think a big problem of scientific research is that it’s not communicated properly, so there’s a huge need for media that can portray scientific finds and allow people to engage with it at an easier level.

I also think I want to work with some sort of small-scale production company; I’m interested in science but also stories related to human rights. When I think about making a documentary, I want it to do something that could help make some sort of change. It’s cliche, but there is a lot of potential in it.

 Any advice for other students?

Whenever you talk to people about anything they have done that’s successful, they say, “just do it.” Nike has it right--it’s such a simple phrase, but it’s true (as much as I hate to admit it). If you have an interest, for whatever reason, pursue it, because you never know where it will take you.

Emma Hoppough is a third-year transfer student attending UC Davis. She studies English and plans to double minor in studio art and professional writing.

[aggievoices]

Tips From a Transfer Student

Emma Hoppough

Eight months ago I transferred from a liberal arts college in Oregon to a research university in fields-aplenty Northern California: UC Davis! While I’m still learning how to be an Aggie, I know I made the right switch for me. Here are a few personal mantras that have made my transition easier—and hopefully someone reading this will find them useful, too.

1) Expect Change

Scratch that—embrace change. Transferring might be the best decision you’ll ever make, but it will require you to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Whether you’re moving between states or attending your hometown university, a new school presents different people, classes, traditions—even school-specific slang. (For example: an Aggie will recognize the CoHo as the Coffee House, the SCC as the Student Community Center and an NPB major as an incredibly sleep-deprived student ... just kidding; they study Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior.)

My favorite part of transferring, however, has been discovering the opportunities available to me. (Like the opportunity to manage a student blog!) It’s important to remember that while new experiences might present challenges, they will push you to grow in return. Speaking as someone who thinks of switching oatmeal toppings as a bit of a wild-card move, I repeat, to myself and to you: Change is good. Adapting, however, can take time, which is why it’s important to ...

2) Take Your Time

Unfortunately, new experiences often stand in contrast to those that came before. Sometimes it’s easier to focus on that difference than to see the possibilities before you—and sometimes, when the shiny newness of your school wears off, it’s easy to feel a bit out of place. Try not to fixate on the smiling Instagram photos before you; remember that while no one wants to admit when they feel homesick or lonely, almost every student has before. Everyone adjusts at different rates, and it can take months for a new environment to feel like home. So put the phone down, think long-term, and take your transition day-by-day.

3) Start Small

You may be an adult, but this is a great time to take baby steps. It’s ok to inch toward settling in, whether that means walking around campus, greeting a neighbor or purchasing your apartment’s inaugural dish sponge. I know that I feel about a hundred times more comfortable in a new setting once I’m familiar with my physical surroundings; if I can walk successfully to a destination without Google Maps, I can breathe easy.

When I first arrived in Davis, one of my roommates and I spent a day biking around campus to track down the essentials: classrooms, dining halls and landmarks (like the Davis cows!). I left feeling confident and inspired to explore all that I hadn’t seen. Sometimes it’s helpful to work your way out like this: from your apartment complex, to your major department, to your college campus, to your community. As you pass by, make a list of all the places, events and food you want to return to. Then when you find yourself sitting in your room with nothing to do, start working your way down.

4) Put Yourself Out There

Join clubs, attend classes, study in a common room and bake cookies for your neighbors. While socializing with strangers can seem intimidating—I’m an introvert; I understand—it’s not so scary when you remember how many people are doing the same thing. At the very least you will ease the awkwardness of silent classrooms, and at most you will find a lifelong friend. Generally speaking, if you seek out your interests, friendship will follow. Not only will you feel more fulfilled if you pursue an activity that you care about, but you just might meet some cool people along the way. So flap those wings, social butterfly (or at least pretend to until it happens naturally).

5) Just Try

As a wise friend once told me when I texted her in a finals-induced panic at 2 a.m.: “All you can do is your best.” I’m fairly certain she fell asleep immediately after hitting ‘send’ and promptly forgot her words, but they stuck with me.

If you ever feel discouraged or overwhelmed, just remember that trying is enough. You can only do what you’re capable of, so why stress about things you can’t change? Transferring will always have its ups and downs, but for every student who feels lost there will be dozens to point them in the right direction. The best advice I can give to anyone starting again is to trust yourself and your choices—from there, just try your best; success will follow close behind.

Emma Hoppough is a third-year transfer student attending UC Davis. She studies English and plans to double minor in Studio Art and Professional Writing.